Mighty and Marvelous Missionary Matthew: Glad Tidings of Good Joy

12.24.18
Friends and Family,

Merry Christmas! How wonderful it is to be a representative of Jesus Christ during this time of the year! The opportunity to be able to as the angels of old in "Declaring glad tidings of good joy" is unlike any other. My mission President is a very inspired man. He tells us about the opportunity we have to come to know Jesus Christ: "The Savior has promised us that if we acquire and develop His divine attributes, we will be qualified for the exaltation and we will be better to assist Him in His work. We will be purified and we will receive the grace of God. On the other hand, if we do not develop the gifts and attributes He has given us, "From them shall be taken away even that which they have" (D & C 60:3). In 3 Nephi 27:27, the Lord said we should be as He is. His request is that we may come unto eternal life by coming to know him "the only true God, and Jesus Christ "(John 17:3). He wants us to know Him! He always invites us, but unfortunately, we do not always take advantage, for He "Was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came to what was his, and the his own received him not "(John 1: 16-17). How will you know and receive the Christ during this Christmas and in your life? We must move forward as did the man named Zachaeus to "seek to see who Jesus was" (Luke 19: 2-3). But, we want to take more than a look! We want to know Him! How do we do it? King Benjamin answered with this simple question: "For how knoweth a man the master whom he did not serve and which is alien to him and which is far from the thoughts and purposes of his heart? "(Mosiah 5:13) Life is full of choices. What we do with this time makes all the difference. We need to choose to do the work He does! God begged us to love one another and to choose Him (see Moses 7:33). Christ is our perfect example, because He has always chosen the Father. He has always chosen the will of the Father. Abinadi explained that the Son's will has always been absorbed by the Father's will (Mosiah 15: 7). This is how we get to know Christ by always choosing God. This is how we will acquire and develop His attributes." It is my personal promise that as we seek to become like Christ we will come to know him. I testify that He lives! And these are his glad tidings of great joy. Merry Christmas from me to each and every one of you.

With my Love,

-Elder Matthew Arscott

THIS IS MOM.

Matthew sent a short note confirming our Skype call and time for tomorrow. I am SO excited to be able to see him via Skype. My mom, Brother and Volker will be here with us. Adam was able to adjust his work schedule so he can be here too!!!
Matthew sent five pictures today so I will post those. He said he has had a bad cold but feeling better today. He made two five hour bus rides to Curitiba. I hope he was able to rest on the ride. They have been very busy working with the less actives in their area. He is happy and well and still loving the people and new area.